Azeem Rafiq made 43 allegations from his time at Yorkshire; independent investigation upheld seven claims, finding he was a victim of "racial harassment and bullying"; Yorkshire say no action will be taken against any employees'; ECB: "We are sorry this has not yet been resolved"
Wednesday 3 November 2021 16:19, UK
Health secretary Sajid Javid says "heads should roll" at Yorkshire amid mounting political pressure surrounding Azeem Rafiq's long-running allegations of institutional racism at the club.
Rafiq's account of his time at the club first came to light more than a year ago but recent developments commanded the attention of senior Westminster figures on Tuesday.
Javid's strongly-worded intervention following the news that Yorkshire chairman Roger Hutton will be called to face the parliamentary Digital, Culture, Media and Sport committee.
Later, a Downing Street spokesperson representing Prime Minister Boris Johnson followed up Javid's remarks by urging the England and Wales Cricket Board to "investigate this thoroughly and quickly" and "take action where needed".
An independent report commissioned by Yorkshire previously resolved that Rafiq, who played for his home county in two stints between 2008 and 2018, had been a victim of "racial harassment and bullying".
Despite offering an apology, the club went on to state that none of its employees would face any further action.
ESPNcricinfo this week published alleged details of the report, including a senior player's admission that he had repeatedly used the word "P***" in reference to Rafiq, which was subsequently deemed to be "in the spirit of friendly banter".
Javid, the first British Pakistani to head a government department in 2014, posted on Twitter: "P**" is not banter. Heads should roll at Yorkshire CCC. If @ECB_cricket doesn't take action it's not fit for purpose."
The closing words amount to a challenge directly aimed at the game's governing body, which has only recently received a full copy of the Rafiq report as part of its own "thorough and fair" investigation.
The ECB has since apologised for not resolving the issue sooner.
"Last week we received Yorkshire CCC's report into the racism and bullying allegations Azeem Rafiq made against the club," an ECB statement said. "We are conscious about the length of time that Azeem has waited for resolution and the toll that must be taking on his wellbeing and that of his family. We are sorry that, as a sport, this has not yet been resolved.
"We will conduct a full regulatory process that is fair to all parties, but also ensure this happens as quickly as possible. To achieve this, we have secured the services of a QC, along with other external investigatory support to upweight resource around our process. The ECB Board has also reaffirmed its commitment to further additional resource, should the investigation require it.
"We are aware that The Select Committee have called Yorkshire's Chair, Roger Hutton to give evidence. In the meantime, we will press ahead with our investigation."
A No 10 spokesperson, responding to Javid's comments, said: "These are very serious allegations which have clearly had a very significant impact on Azeem Rafiq and it's important they are investigated thoroughly and quickly.
"We urge them to look at this with the utmost scrutiny and take action where needed. Language like that should never be used in any context or form whatsoever."
Asked whether the word "P***" could ever be used as "banter", the spokesman added: "No, this is racist language and should not be used in any context whatsoever."
DCMS chair Julian Knight said in a statement: "This is extremely concerning and it's clear that Yorkshire County Cricket Club has questions to answer.
"We have monitored developments around the club's handling of the serious allegations made by Azeem Rafiq.
"We want to see much greater transparency from YCCC - it is time for them to answer their critics. We intend to call the chair of the club before the DCMS committee to give a much fuller explanation than we have had so far."
DCMS secretary of state, Nadine Dorries, said: "Azeem Rafiq's treatment after the racism he faced was disgusting, and the investigation that followed only makes it even worse.
"The ECB investigation must be swift and fully transparent. Racism must be confronted, and NEVER written off as just "banter"."
Yorkshire officials have refrained from publishing their full report into the allegations made by Rafiq in 2020, citing legal reasons.
However, the England and Wales Cricket Board is investigating the document, which is said to contain graphic details of the abuse directed towards Rafiq.
Former England captain Mark Butcher has accused the club of being "in denial".
Responding to the details reported by ESPNcricinfo, he told The Times: "It beggars belief. It's not only completely tone deaf but totally in denial."
The MP for Leeds North West - the constituency which covers Headingley - made clear on Tuesday that he would not allow the issue to rest.
Labour's Alex Sobel tweeted: "I am very concerned to read today's report. It's not acceptable for any organisation to say clearly racist language is just banter."
Sobel confirmed to PA that he had arranged a meeting with Rafiq and would be seeking further information.
The developments in Rafiq's case have also attracted the attention of anti-racism campaign group HOPE Not Hate, with its chief executive Nick Lowles telling PA: "Referring to someone by a racial slur is not, under any circumstances, 'good natured banter'.
"In 2021, we have a right to expect racism and intolerance to be taken seriously. We cannot sit idly by while institutions try to brush these problems under the carpet - we all have a part to play in refusing to accept racial intolerance and taking a stand against organisations who fail to tackle racism.
"It has now emerged that Yorkshire CCC is 'pleased' to announce that no disciplinary action will be taken against any current player or staff member.
"A refusal to act on tackling racism should not be a cause to rejoice. Azeem Rafiq deserves justice.
"Cricket, like any sport, unites people across many backgrounds - but when institutions fail to safeguard and protect players from abuse, the premise of unity falls apart."
Pressure is also coming to bear on Yorkshire on a commercial level. The Emerald publishing group - a primary sponsor of the county, which has naming rights at Headingley Stadium - has described its "dismay" at recent reports and has told PA it expects further action to be taken.
"We take all matters related to any form of racism or discriminatory behaviour seriously and expect all our partners to uphold our values," read a statement issued to PA.
"As sponsors of the Headingley stadium, we are dismayed by the conclusion of an independent panel that the former player, Azeem Rafiq, suffered racial harassment and bullying during his time at the club.
"Whilst the club has offered its unreserved apology for this, and has made a number of positive changes in the intervening years, there is clearly still a great deal more to do.
"We are pursuing the actions from the YCCC in response to their latest statement and will continue to review the findings from the tribunal and ECB investigation in due course."
